BAME Police staff

Freedom of information request reference no: 1424/24

REQUEST

• Does your force have an active Black Police Association or similar for Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) members of your workforce?What is it called?
• How many officers, support staff and PCSOs do you have?
• How many of those are BAME workforce (officers, support staff and PCSOs)?
• How many current Attendance Management cases do you have? (Force compared to BAME)?
• How many current Complaints do you have? (Force compared to BAME)?
• How many current Disciplinary cases do you have where regulation 21 notices have been served to attend a misconduct meeting/hearing? (Force compared to BAME)?
• How many current Employment Tribunals do you have, regardless of type of complaint? (Force compared to BAME)?
• How many current Grievances do you have, regardless of type of complaint? (Force compared to BAME)?
• How many current Incapability/capability cases do you have? (Force compared to BAME)?
• How many current Regulation procedures (Misconduct and Gross Misconduct) do you have? (Force compared to BAME)?
• How many current Unsatisfactory Performance Procedures Tribunals do you have, or equivalent? (Force compared to BAME)?
• What plans does your force have to improve and support the voice, position and confidence of women of colour in policing?
• What grade, pay scale or band is your most senior BAME police staff? What is their gender?

Clarification: Q5 related to absences, including sickness absences being dealt with formally through the Attendance Support process, as part of the Unsatisfactory Attendance Process. 

RESPONSE

We consulted with our Joint Legal Services, HR and Professional Standards Department who have provided the below response to your request.

Question 1

Yes, South Wales Police do have an active Black Police Association which is called the ‘South Wales Black Police Association’.

Question 2 & 3

Your request for this information has been considered and I am not obliged to supply it.  The following exemption applies:

Section 21 – Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means

This letter therefore acts as a refusal notice for this part of your request.

Under Section 16, the duty to provide advice and assistance, please see the below links:

For Question 2 - gov.uk and for Question 3 - ethnicity open data tables

Question 4

Question 5

There are currently 944 live Complaint matters. Of this, there are 64 cases that involve a BAME Staff Member/Officer.

Question 6

There are currently 43 Misconduct Meetings/Hearings. Of these, there are 4 cases that involve a BAME Staff Member/Officer.

Question 7

There are 7 employment tribunal cases against the Chief Constable of South Wales Police. Of the 7 individuals identified 6 were White and 1 was BAME.

Question 8

We have 45 current live grievances, 5 of which are from BAME officers/staff.

Question 9

This information is not currently recorded, if you wish to resubmit this part of your request in the future then we may be able to assist.

Question 10

There are currently 163 Conduct procedures. Of these, there are 9 cases that involve a BAME Staff Member/Officer.

Question 11

None for officers, 3 for staff. Please note this is in relation to stage 3 UPP hearings.

Question 12

Thematic Areas of Focus for WoCiP Progression:

1. Promoting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Through listening circles, solidarity messaging, and diverse cultural programming as well as participated in meetings as a knowledge expert, in order to promote Women of Colour in the force.
2. Workforce Engagement and Allyship: Fostering partnerships with stakeholders (e.g., Hindu Council Wales, Welsh Blood Service) to develop allyship resources that can used in force wide training.
3. Professional Development and Representation: Increasing visibility and opportunities for women of colour, such as participation in national conferences, mentorship roles, and leadership training.
4. Advocacy and Support: Addressing individual member concerns and collaborating on force wide policies and procedures within the organisation in order to support colleagues in force with ongoing issues. Advocating and driving the overall understanding of the force regards to ethnic disparities when it comes to health issues.
5. Cultural Awareness and Celebration: Organisation internal events like Diwali and South Asian Heritage Month to honour diverse traditions and to increase awareness and support for colleagues. Working with the uniform stores to help to create a force wide uniform Hijab for operational staff, for wider inclusivity. 
6. Historical and Social Initiatives: Highlighting significant themes such as Islam in Wales and Women of Windrush contributions to help to increase awareness and understanding.

Question 13

Our highest BAME staff member is on pay scale Director and is male.